St. Paul's Palace Rec Center slated for makeover

The Palace Rec Center is home to one of St. Paul's three permanent outdoor refrigerated skating rinks. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

Fans of the Palace Rec Center received hopeful news last week.

Situated about six blocks off West Seventh Street, the rec center is overdue for some tender loving care.

The city approved $530,000 in design and engineering funds and confirmed it plans to invest $5.8 million in redeveloping the site, with construction likely to begin in 2015 and wrap up the following year.

Brad Meyer, a spokesman for St. Paul Parks and Recreation, said the existing center will not be completely torn down -- rather it's a reuse "of what we can reuse" and enhancing the rest, he said.

"The main idea is to try to keep the building and redesign parts of it, rather than a complete demo and build new," he added.

Initial planning began in 2008, but the project at 781 Palace Ave. was put on hold until the parks and rec department could confirm the funding for construction. City consultants issued long-term recommendations for rec centers in 2010, including a few closures, though some members of the city council have vowed to oppose shuttering sites.

In addition to setting aside enough funding for the design and some initial construction at Palace Rec, the city is working to identify an architecture firm. Parks and rec plans to engage the Fort Road Federation and nearby residents in a community effort to come up with amenities.

"This is something the community has worked tirelessly toward for many years," said Erik Hare, board member with the Fort Road Federation.

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"We had to go through a capital improvement budget request again, which was approved last year."

The improvements will enhance access for the disabled, add new technology, address building code, mechanical and electrical issues, and make a better use of the space that includes one of St. Paul's three permanent outdoor refrigerated skating rinks.

"There is a lot of excitement for this project," Meyer said. "Our staff (members) are eager to get started, and certainly looking forward to working with the community to develop a more innovative, efficient and sustainable facility that will meet present needs as well as the community's needs in the future."